Lysosomal redistribution and increased fragility of pancreatic acinar cells in early stage after hepatectomy in rats.

To explore the cellular fragility of pancreatic acinar cells in the early stage after partial hepatectomy, we evaluated the subcellular redistribution of lysosomal enzyme, lysosomal fragility in acinar cells, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) discharge from acinar cells and the pancreatic water content in rats 4 days after about 70% hepatectomy. Following hepatectomy, there was redistribution of lysosomal enzymes, and more cathepsin B in zymogen pellets (1.3 KP) and less cathepsin B in lysosomal pellets (12 KP) than in sham-operated or normal rats. Soluble cathepsin B activity and LDH discharge also increased significantly after hepatectomy. The pancreatic water content was significantly increased after hepatectomy. These results indicate that the fragility of acinar cells increased in the early stage after hepatectomy.